In late August, seventeen ExxonMobil trainees graduated in a ceremony held at the Kumul Petroleum Academy (KPA) at Idubada. The trainees completed a one-year full-time course and achieved City and Guilds certification in their respective disciplines. Eleven trainees received their certificates in plant process operation, and six were certified as instrument maintenance technicians. Notably, four of the seventeen graduates were female.

The graduation ceremony featured speeches from guest speakers, including ExxonMobil Upstream Asset Manager Mr Breton Macdonald, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Senior Manager Mr Sikke Jan Wynia, and several trainees, as well as the KPA manager.

Echoing the sentiments of other speakers, Mr Sikke Jan Wynia congratulated the trainees on their successful completion of studies, stating, "Kumul Petroleum is proud to have sponsored KPA for almost 10 years, enhancing the capabilities of the petroleum industry workforce, including the seventeen graduates today from the 8th Junior Operations and Maintenance Staff Course."

Mr Wynia also highlighted that Kumul Petroleum is constructing a new training facility at Caution Bay, which will provide improved facilities and allow for additional courses to further raise the technical standards of Papua New Guinea’s national industrial workforce.

Guests at the graduation included family and friends of the graduates, ExxonMobil personnel, and the staff at KPA. The event was also enlivened by a Motuan music and dance troupe.

The graduates are part of the 9th cohort to complete their training at KPA. City and Guilds is a United Kingdom-based awarding body for skills development. The trainees' education included an introduction to the oil and gas industry, safety training, knowledge in their chosen disciplines, practical on-the-job training, and coaching in the well-equipped workshops and the Safe Live Process Plant located at KPA’s Idubada campus.

Since its inception in 2016, 186 trainees sponsored by ExxonMobil, Oil Search, Santos, and Kumul Petroleum Holdings have graduated from KPA. The academy has a three-year contract with Santos to provide training and is currently preparing to welcome the 10th cohort of ExxonMobil-sponsored trainees in the coming weeks.

People living in villages near remote Teapopo, on the Fly River, will no longer have to travel for hours to Daru or Balimo to access basic medical services, thanks to a newly constructed health centre, supported by Kumul Petroleum in partnership with the provincial government.

The opening was officiated by Kumul Petroleum’s External Affairs Executive General Manager, Luke Liria, and attended by senior provincial and government ministers.

During the opening, Dr Liria stated, “Investing in healthcare facilities such as the Teapopo health centre improves the livelihoods of community members and contributes to the development and prosperity of the nation. Kumul Petroleum Holdings is always ready to support the healthcare system in Papua New Guinea."

“The Teapopo health facility is fully equipped and includes staff housing. It features six in-patient wards, an antenatal clinic, and a month’s supply of medication. The facility is solar-powered, has rainwater collection and storage, and includes a septic system—making it self-sufficient, which is essential in this remote location.”

Mr Liria noted that the health centre will serve people in eight villages along the north bank of the Fly River delta, significantly reducing the need for long boat journeys to Daru or Balimo for basic medical services.

“Our support for the construction of this health facility totals K4 million, aligning with our broader commitment to major health infrastructure in Port Moresby and other regions across the country.”

The successful construction and fit-out of the Teapopo health facility resulted from a partnership between Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, Member for South Fly, Hon. Sekie Agisa, the Fly River Provincial Government, and the Western Province Health Authority. The project was also supported by Provincial Improvement Program funds from the Department of National Planning and Monitoring. The building components were supplied by Rhodes, with construction carried out by Dokana Papua Construction Limited.

LAE Biscuit Company Limited for the first time is promoting its quality Papua New Guinea-made products to the world through an exhibition in Australia.

Fine Food Australia is the leading trade event for the food industry running for 40 years.

The event has featured hundreds of food industry professionals from Australasia and beyond.

In an interview with The Nation newspaper, Lae Biscuit Company general manager John Chow said they were grateful to be part of the event through the efforts of the Pacific Trade Invest Australia, as part of the Pacific Islands stand in Melbourne.

"It certainly puts us on the map with other known manufacturers in the Pacific," he said.

"The best part is seeing different Pacific Islanders recognise our brand and share their excitement and enthusiasm to see us here at the exhibition.

"We aren't focusing on our Snax biscuits (but on) our company as a whole, and that we can be trusted to create and develop quality products within PNG that can meet the needs of customers overseas."

He added that although the company faced many challenges as a local manufacturer, he was optimistic that in time it would get the full support it needed to be a renowned food manufacturer in the Pacific in line with its overall vision.

Chow also said it was an exciting opportunity for the company to promote its new products along with its branding partnership with National Rugby League club Cronulla Sharks, South Sydney Rabbitohs and PNG Kumuls superstar Alex Johnston.

It is proud of its food safety system certification (FSSC 22000) international certification, which only a handful of local food companies have achieved in PNG.

Meanwhile, group chairman and founder Ian Chow revealed that manufacturers would not survive in PNG if the Government failed to find additional markets.

He said there were too many people with no jobs or money, while a high costs of manufacturing and lack of government assistance was holding back the potential of the country.

Papua New Guinean marine services business, Pacific Towing (‘PacTow’) is performing a growing number of long-distance ocean towage projects, many of which are international.  The company has towed all sorts of vessels and ‘structures’ throughout Melanesia, as well as in Australian waters, Indonesia, Micronesia, the American waters of Guam, and Singapore which is where its most recent international towage departed from.

Ocean towage projects performed by PacTow are typically either single-vessel transfers or salvages.  However, the company also has a history of tandem towage projects, as well as towing oil rigs, transfer hoses, and mooring buoys for its oil and gas clientele.  

Vessel transfers into PNG have increased over the last few years, largely due to logistics and shipping companies wanting to expand and modernise their fleets in order to service major resource developments.  Other vessel transfers have been project-specific, for example tugs and barges utilised in port infrastructure upgrades.

Salvage is a core service of PacTow’s and one that frequently requires long distance towage.  PacTow Manager, Gerard Kasnari, reports that “many of the vessels we assist, whether they are adrift at sea due to some sort of mechanical failure, or have run aground a reef, are operating hundreds of miles from any kind of port let alone major ports where there are the right kind of repair services. Sometimes we’ll tow a vessel to a small regional port like Rabaul for some initial repairs and then we’ll do a longer tow back to Port Moresby or Lae.”

Depending on the extent of repairs required and under which country the vessel is flagged, PacTow will also transfer salvaged vessels internationally if that’s what the owners want.  At times, they’ll just provide an escort service if the vessel can travel under its own power.

PacTow’s most recent international towage project involved picking up a new flat top barge in Singapore for a Port Moresby logistics client.  The 70 metre long and 20 metre wide barge was loaded with four smaller vessels – two work boats for the client and another two line boats for PacTow’s operation in Lae.

‘Tavurvur’ one of PacTow’s fleet of Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugs which had recently completed a mandatory four-yearly dry docking in Singapore was utilised for the project.  The tow covered approximately 3,000nm and took just over three weeks, including a stopover for fuel, fresh water and food in Makassar, Indonesia. 

Kasnari reports that the project went as planned and was relatively unchallenging with the exception of marginal weather (i.e., high winds [25 – 30kt] and large swell [2 – 4m]) between Singapore and Makassar, and another patch of poor weather in the Coral Sea approximately 200nm from Port Moresby.

PacTow’s fleet of tugs, especially its larger and more powerful ASDs, are central to its long-distance ocean towage capacity.  Kasnari, points out that the purchase of most of the ASDs has been part of a strategic re-fleeting program that is now two thirds complete.  In addition to owning PNG’s largest tug fleet, PacTow has its tugs deployed at each of its five operations throughout PNG, as well as in Solomon Islands.  The company has also established a business in Fiji.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is pleased to announce the extension of its contract with landowner company Fubilan Catering Services (FCS) for an additional five years, valued at US$116 million (K420 million).

This extension will allow FCS to continue provide catering services to the mine operations and FIFO camp in Tabubil.

Under the renewed contract FCS will continue to provide OTML and its Business Partners workforce with meals at the mess facility in Tabubil, and to operational areas at the Mine, Mill, and Ok Menga Hydro Power Station.

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with FCS,” said OTML Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kedi Ilimbit.

“Under the new agreement, FCS is expected to deliver quality daily meals, which includes special dietary accommodations and healthy meal options, which are vital for the well-being of our workforce and the overall success of our operations.”

FCS also provides catering services to the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) under an agreement for the 2023–2025 academic years.

FCS is a subsidiary of Mineral Resources Star Mountain (MRSM) and began providing its catering services to OTML in 1999.

The company has performed exceptionally well over the years and has been recognised through several awards. These include:

• Outstanding Landowner Company Shared Value Performance 2024 Award at the University of Papua New Guinea during the PNG Resources Week;
• Outstanding Health Safety initiative award at the PNG Chamber of Resource & Energy (PNG CORE) Investment Conference and Exhibition in Sydney, Australia, 2023.
• Outstanding Local Workforce Champion Training & Development’ PNG CORE CANCONEX event in 2023
• Industry Leader Health and Safety at the PNG & Australia Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference 2023
• NASFUND’s ‘Most Compliant Employer – Account Maintenance in 2023’

To enhance maritime security, PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports) has announced its active involvement in a newly formed working committee aimed at addressing criminal activities within declared port areas. This initiative comes at a time when ensuring the safety and security of ports is increasingly vital to the smooth operation of national and international trade.

PNG Ports’ Chairman, Harvey Nii, Chief Executive Officer, Neil Papenfus, and Chief Maritime Compliance Officer, Ben Tomba, led discussions on the matter during a recent workshop on 7 August, held at the Grand Papua Hotel in Port Moresby. The workshop, hosted by PNG Ports, brought together various stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to outline collaborative strategies to combat criminal activity within the boundaries of PNG’s declared ports.

Mr Papenfus highlighted the importance of a cooperative approach, stating, “As the port authority, we can only do what is in our jurisdiction, and this issue is one that will need all stakeholders and port users to discuss the way forward.” He emphasised the need for shared knowledge and resources to address these maritime security challenges effectively. He also mentioned that PNG Ports would fully support the formulation and implementation of a policy to combat crime in the regulated port areas and would upgrade its Vessel Tracking Services (VTS) systems to aid in this effort.

Recognising the importance of an integrated approach, PNG Ports has committed to supporting the development and implementation of a comprehensive policy to combat crime at regulated port areas. As part of these efforts, the corporation also plans to upgrade its VTS systems to better monitor port activities and enhance security.

Mr Tomba added that the outcomes from the discussions during the workshop would serve as the foundation for a draft policy, which is expected to be reviewed by the relevant authorities. This proactive approach aligns with PNG Ports' broader mission to ensure safe and efficient shipping operations across its network of 15 ports.

The workshop featured representatives from key agencies and organisations, including the Department of Transport, National Maritime Safety Authority, Water Police, PNGDF Maritime Operations, PNG Customs, National Capital District Commission, Motu Koita Assembly, National Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Authority, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, Civil Aviation and Safety Authority, National Fisheries Authority, and Total Energy, among others.

As the owner and manager of port facilities, PNG Ports, through its PNG Harbours Management Services (PNGHMS), plays a central role in maintaining safety, security, and environmental standards across the country’s declared ports. The PNGHMS, under the leadership of the Chief Maritime Compliance Officer, is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Harbours Act, which governs safety, regulatory inspections, and policy formulation in port operations.

The 26 trainee apprentices that recently joined the Ok Tedi Mining Limited’s (OTML) apprenticeship training programme for 2024 have successfully signed their indenture contracts with the company and the National Apprenticeship Trade Testing Board (NATTB) on July 24th in Tabubil.

OTML Manager for Training Capability & Development Ian Strachan encouraged the 2024 cohort to observe company’s values whilst undergoing their training to excel in their careers.

“The training in this program will equip you to be skilful in your trade. Be punctual and learn as much as you can,” said Mr Strachan.

Acting Director of NATTB Brian Clowes, challenged the new recruits to make use of this opportunity.

He said the program will prepare them to contribute to the operation of OTML and other mining operations in PNG in the future.

“Follow your supervisors’ instructions and learn as much as you can from Ok Tedi,” he said.

The 20 males and six females will undergo four years of apprenticeship training, which includes practical placements within the company and block courses that will contribute to the final attainment of their trade certificates.

Ok Tedi takes pride in prioritising people from the Western Province and Preferred Area. Out of the 26 total intakes, 62% are from the Western Province and Preferred Area.

The Trade Areas they fall into include Auto Electrical, Cabinet Making, Carpentry Construction, Electrical Mechanic, Heavy Equipment Fitting, Instrumentation, Maintenance Fitting & Machining, Metal Fabrication & Welding, Plumbing, and Refrigeration Mechanic.

OTML is committed to contributing to sustainable development of human resources of the people of PNG and as such, recruited 1, 179 trainees under its Apprenticeship Program since 1982.

The first call-off order of £26m, which includes both ENDURON® large format High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR) and wet screens, will be recognised in Q3 with the remaining orders booked later in 2024 and early 2025.

The Weir Group PLC (Weir), a global mining technology leader, has been awarded a £53m contract to provide industry-leading energy efficient, sustainable solutions to the Reko Diq copper-gold project, a 50% owned greenfield development by Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick). The tier one copper project is located in the Chagai district of Balochistan and is targeting first production in 2028 with an estimated mine life of 40+ years.

During the first phase of the project, Weir will provide fine grinding, separation and tailings solutions. Featured equipment includes Weir’s market leading ENDURON® HPGRs, ENDURON® Elite wet and dry vibrating screens, WARMAN® slurry pumps, and CAVEX® hydrocyclones. Among the equipment to be provided are Weir’s large format HPGRs – the highest capacity design in the market.

The initial £53m contract award will be recognised in the order book in accordance with a phased call-off aligned with manufacturing lead times, with £26m recognised immediately and the remaining orders to be booked in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025. After commissioning of the equipment, aftermarket support will be provided via an on-site purpose-built service centre staffed with Weir technical personnel.

The receipt of orders associated with the contract award during 2024 does not result in a change to Weir’s full year 2024 financial guidance as of 30 July 2024.

Commenting on the contract award, Jon Stanton, Chief Executive Officer of Weir said:

“We are delighted to have secured this significant contract which represents further industry acceptance of Weir’s differentiated sustainable and cost-effective redefined flowsheet solution, with our market leading HPGR technology particularly suited for the water-scarce climate and geology of the Reko Diq copper-gold project. Our engineers have designed an innovative solution that comprehensively addresses the particular challenges of this project and is a great example of working in close partnership with an ambitious customer who shares in our purpose to sustainably and efficiently deliver the natural resources essential to create a better future for our world.”

“Barrick is pleased to be partnering with Weir in delivering sustainable mining and processing in the new mining frontier of Balochistan. The Reko Diq project will grow Barrick’s strategically significant copper and gold portfolios, benefiting all its Pakistan and Balochistan stakeholders.” said Mark Bristow, Barrick President and CEO.

Weir, a global leader in mining technology, has been awarded the contract to supply a large ø2.4m x 2.25m Enduron® HPGR (high-pressure grinding rolls) for De Grey Mining’s flagship Hemi Gold Project in the Pilbara region in Western Australia.

Hemi has a mineral estimate of 10.5Moz and at full capacity, the processing plant will have a nameplate throughput of 10Mtpa.

Peter Holmes, Project Director of De Grey Mining said: “De Grey Mining is pleased to partner with Weir on one of its key long lead items for its Hemi Gold Project and appreciates Weir having a local service facility to provide the required support to our site and the region.”

Bjorn Dierx, Global Product Manager for Enduron® HPGRs said:

“Our partnership with De Grey Mining further expands our footprint in sustainable comminution. Our proven track record of developing highly engineered solutions for the industry, together with our capability to partner with our customers to bring projects to life, ensures that De Grey Mining will be in good hands to achieve its productivity, sustainability and project execution targets.

“The Hemi Gold Project will benefit from Weir’s state-of-the-art Enduron HPGR technology, which delivers operational flexibility, grinding efficiency and equipment availability. Importantly, Enduron HPGRs also provide significant improvements versus traditional tumbling mill technology with energy savings of up to 40% and in turn, a lower carbon footprint. This will be the fifth, similar-sized Enduron HPGR in the Pilbara region alone, which is a testament to its credibility in high capacity, hard-rock grinding.”

Weir recently opened its Port Hedland Service Centre, strategically located to support its customers in the Pilbara region in Western Australia. The centre features facilities for Enduron® HPGR servicing, including tyre roller assembly, and will allow De Grey Mining to benefit from product training in close proximity to the mine site.

Kristen Walsh, Regional Managing Director of Weir’s Minerals Division said:

“This win further underscores Weir’s commitment to making mining more sustainable and demonstrates the substantial opportunity that can be made to CO2 emissions reduction when choosing an energy-efficient technology in a large greenfield project.”

Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has signed a road construction contract worth K18.1 million for the Alice Pit to the Border Post Road Project in North Fly District.

Funded through the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme (ITCS), the 14.55km road will serve as a critical link, connecting local communities to a key PNG-Indonesian border post at Yetetkun in the Ningerum LLG.

The new infrastructure is expected to transform the lives of locals, providing them with better access to cheaper goods and services that foster social and economic growth.

OTML Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Kedi Ilimbit, said this is one of two roads strategically planned to be constructed to the border.

“There is a reason why we are leading the roads to the border, and it’s because we want to get goods and services from across the border rather than our local communities waiting for weeks for services to be delivered from Port Moresby,” said Mr Ilimbit.

Mr Ilimbit further added that OTML is committed to support the setting up of a border facility at Yetekun.

He further commended and thanked the Western Provincial Government and Administration team for attending the signing event and importantly for their continuous support towards the OTML ITCS projects by ensuring due processes are followed prior to contract being awarded and implemented.

Western Province leaders present at the signing included Governor, Taboi Awi Yoto, North Fly MP James Donald, Middle Fly MP, Maso Hewabi, and Provincial Administrator, Robert Kayun.

The leaders said the Alice Pit to Border Post Road has been a dream for their people for so many years and the ground breaking is marking the start of this dream becoming a reality.

They thanked OTML and the National Government for their cooperation in having the project approved for delivery.

China Railway Construction Engineering Group Co, has been awarded the project and are expected to complete the task in 12 months.

OTML is a 100% PNG-owned mine and is committed to mining responsibly, while delivering sustainable economic developments to its impacted communities and PNG.

PNG Customs Service Chief Commissioner David Towe stressed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to trade facilitation and border protection during his presentation at the 2024 Business Regulators Summit, Session four on July 31.

Addressing a diverse audience that included regulatory agency leaders, private sector representatives, NGOs, and media, Towe delivered a presentation with the topic: “Trade Facilitation Connectivity (at the border)” on the pivotal roles and strategic priorities of the Phoenix Customs Service.

He explained: "Phoenix Customs Service is mandated through the Customs Service Act to be one of the premier border security agencies of government.”

“This allows us to control and manage the border, protecting the community from dangerous imports, facilitating international trade, and supporting government funding through revenue collection."

The three primary functions of PNG Customs are border and community protection, trade facilitation, and revenue collection.

Towe highlighted the comprehensive legal framework empowering PNG Customs, including the Public Customs Service Act of 2014, the Customs Act of 1951, and the Customs Tariff Act, which classifies goods and applies relevant taxes.

He underscored the complexity of managing approximately 824 land borders shared with Indonesia and 5,152 kilometers of water, along with operations across 23 ports and a robust air system.

Corporate Plan and International Best Practices

On the agency's strategic priorities, Towe introduced the recently launched Customs Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and the Customs Roadmap for Reform and Organization 2024-2028.

These plans aim to adapt to the evolving global environment, ensuring continued delivery of results. "We have to reform our organization to remain viable and relevant," he stated.

He also stressed the importance of aligning with international best practices, citing the agency's compliance with standards from the World Customs Organization and the World Trade Organization.

"We ensure that our systems and procedures are relevant for business operations, facilitating seamless and efficient flow of goods and people across the border," Towe explained.

Technological Advancements and Trade Facilitation

One of the highlights of Towe's presentation was the development of the electronic single-window platform in collaboration with the National Trade Office (NTO). This platform aims to streamline trade-related processes, reducing the need for traders to navigate multiple agencies.

"We have identified 56 different trade-related processes spread across 26 entities. The single-window platform will automate these processes, making it easier for traders to obtain permits and licenses online," Towe said.

He also mentioned the implementation of advanced technologies like container scanning equipment and risk-based intelligence-led interventions to enhance border security and trade facilitation.

"We use the Asycuda World system to apply risk management principles, targeting high-risk cargo while ensuring 90% of goods pass without customs intervention," Towe noted.

Collaborative Efforts and Future Directions

Towe commended the collaborative efforts of the National Trade Office, ICT department, and other entities involved for the single-window platform.

"This transformative project will make trade easier and the flow of goods across the border much simpler. I encourage all stakeholders to get on board and support this initiative," he said.

Towe reiterated the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation in customs operations. "We are taking steps in the right direction, and I am excited about the future of PNG Customs.”

Since its inception in 2022, the Trukai Smart Farmer Program and its partners have so far trained over 400 participants.

Trukai Industries Agriculture team has adopted the irrigated rice farming concept as a sustainable initiative to ensure farmers are introduced to best crop management, quality grain management and pest management systems.

Trukai Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the PNG University of Technology in Lae in 2022 and the Pacific Adventist University in Port Moresby in 2023.

With the aim of building capacity in local rice farming and supporting communities in PNG, the Trukai Smart Farmer Program has certified more than 140 rice farmers in Irrigated Rice Farming.

In June and July, a total of 201 participants attended the fourth batch of the Smart Farmer Program that were held in Lae Unitech and PAU in Port Moresby.

Many local rice farmers from all over the country attended this course with an underlying objective of going back to their areas to grow their rice and ultimately teach their community of these techniques.

Alex Kuariri, 38, from the East Sepik Province was amongst these farmers. He practices irrigation farming in his village, using this method to nurture oil palm and has a fish farm.

Having underwent the Trukai Smart Farmer Program, Kuariri explains that he has upskilled his knowledge around irrigated farming and can now extend his farming technique into growing rice.

“Though I do irrigation farming, this training from Trukai has thought me a lot about farming rice. I’m excited and I believe I have the knowledge and skills to now grow rice in my village,” said Kuariri.

He added that he plans to teach the skills he has learnt to his family and fellow farmers in his area.

“I will start educating the people in my village and lead them to grow rice. I see two benefits of farming rice, it can be for commercial purposes and the second reason is, I can take home to my family to eat, he said.

Trukai Industries’ Rice Development Manager Aina Davis explained that the Smart Farmer Training has now become accessible to all farmers nationwide because it is being taught in two main centres in PNG.

“We have now seen an increased number of participants because of the accessibility of this training. Participants can now choose their institution of choice depending on their geographical location and transportation accessibility,” said Davis.

Trukai Industries’ CEO Alan Preston described the Trukai Smart Farmer Program as a commitment to supporting local rice farmers and agriculture in Papua New Guinea.

“We continue to support local rice farmers by enhancing their rice cultivation skills, strengthening families, building communities and reaffirming our commitment to PNG through extensive agriculture programs, rice research, science, technology and development through our partnerships with leading institutions in the country,” said Preston.

The partnership with both UniTech and PAU will enable participating farmers of the Smart Farmer Program to share and access classrooms, research laboratories, and farm or field facilities for farmer training as well as undergraduate and postgraduate student training, research and development, and extension activities.

The annual Trukai Fun Run 2024 is not just another community event, but a crucial initiative that underscores the business sector's vital role in supporting national pride and athletic excellence.

The Fun Run took place on July 7 across ten locations in Papua New Guinea, with more than 1,000 participants in each location.

The Fun Run united communities under the inspiring theme "Our Steps, Their Dreams."

This year's event is particularly significant as it raises funds to support Team PNG on their journey to the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Co-hosted by the PNG Olympic Committee and Trukai Industries Limited, the Trukai Fun Run reached its aim to generate essential financial support through the sale of K20 Trukai Fun Run t-shirts.

All proceeds from these sales were directly contributed to Team PNG's Olympic preparation and participation.

The Trukai Fun Run is supported by Theodist, Coral Sea Hotels, Enzo’s Pizza, Trophy Haus, The National, CPL Group, Air Niugini, IBS University in Port Moresby and Vodafone.

Desmond Kaviagu, Secretary General of the PNG Olympic Committee, expressed profound gratitude for the unwavering support from Trukai Industries Limited.

"We are immensely thankful to Trukai Industries Limited for their steadfast support, which has been instrumental in empowering our athletes to strive for excellence and represent Papua New Guinea on the global stage," Kaviagu stated.

Since 2000, Trukai Industries Limited has proudly sponsored the Trukai Fun Run, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to promoting sports, health, fitness, and national pride.

Alan Preston, CEO of Trukai Industries, highlighted the company's dedication to this cause.

“The Fun Run organizing committee and host partners in each of the participating locations have done a tremendous job selling the T-shirts,” he said.

The organizing committee anticipated 40,000 participants to attend the event on Sunday, July 7.

He added, "We would like to thank the host partners and support partners who have worked together with the committee to ensure this will be another successful Trukai Fun Run event.”

The event encouraged nationwide participation, with official Trukai Fun Run t-shirts available for purchase at designated locations in Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Biala 1 and Biala 2, Mt Hagen, Kokopo, Popondetta, Wewak and Goroka.

In Port Moresby, the Governor for the Nation’s Capital, Hon. Powes Parkop, donated K15,000 to the event and participated in the Fun Run.

The success of last month's t-shirt auctions in Port Moresby and Lae, which raised K277,500 through the sale of 11,100 t-shirts generously donated by Trukai, exemplifies the business community's commitment and generosity.

Weir, a global leader in innovative mining technology, has launched the all-new ENDURON® Orbital range of vibrating screens. Engineered for sand and aggregate, construction, and small tonnage mining operations, the new screens are designed to meet the most demanding of applications.

Featuring an all-bolted construction, the screens significantly improve reliability by eliminating welding in high-stress areas, removing the leading mode of failure in vibrating screens. Locking bolts ensure structural integrity and durability, facilitating easy maintenance with quick replacement of individual components without the need for extensive downtime.

The ENDURON® Orbital range is available in two screen types: the E series: Elliptical Motion Horizontal Screens and the C series: Circular Motion Inclined Screens. Both screen types are designed with a commitment to innovation and quality, incorporating the latest technologies to deliver exceptional performance in a broad range of sand and aggregate and mining duties.

A wide operating window provides flexibility to adjust screen settings in line with changing applications or feed conditions, without compromising the equipment’s structural integrity and minimising the risk of structural failure related to harmonic resonance.

The modular screen construction ensures that individual components can be easily replaced. Common interchangeable screen parts reduce inventory overflow and simplify maintenance. Both screens are digitally enabled, including our modular exciter technology, which senses and reports on the condition of the exciter. The exciter itself features a bolt-on/bolt-off design, meaning they can be easily changed on site and refurbished in a mechanical workshop.

All ENDURON® products are fully supported by the Weir service network, offering unrivalled service, support, and local expertise across the globe. Weir continues to lead the industry in providing cutting-edge, high performance solutions that are tailored to meet the unique requirements of our customers.

Corné Kleyn, Global Product Manager for Vibrating Screens said:

“We at Weir are excited to bring this revolutionary new screening technology to the market. The team has worked hard for the past two years to bring our customers a product that is reliable with the lowest total cost of ownership. Our first screen has been successfully installed and commissioned at a large global customer and we are gaining momentum with more units planned for both the European and North-America markets”.

Steamships and John Swire & Sons are pleased to announce the successful completion and official opening and hand over of a classroom in Lae.

The brand-new classroom was formally presented to the school community in a small ceremony at the school grounds attended by students, parents, teachers, and project partners of Yanga Elementary School.

Addressing the audience, Steamships Finance Director & Company Secretary, Alessandro Mistroni highlighted the importance of education;

"Education forms the foundation upon which successful societies are built. It empowers and transforms communities, paving the way for a brighter future. Today, we celebrate not only the physical transformation of a school but also the promise of quality education for the children at Yanga Elementary."

The overall investment in this project amounts to approximately PGK 200,000, covering a steel classroom kit complete with students and teachers’ desks and chairs, shelves, blackboards, pinboards, and building contractor costs.

Mr. Mistroni also thanked the project partners, and team at Consort Express Lines, who without their support, the execution of the project would not have been possible.

The completion of this redevelopment project not only provides essential infrastructure but also instils a sense of pride and enthusiasm among the students, educators, and community members involved in its construction.

The upgraded facilities are expected to enhance attendance and foster greater engagement, enriching the educational experience for all and contributing to the achievement of national education goals.

The Swire Philanthropic Fund and Steamships remain dedicated to the ongoing success of this initiative and eagerly anticipate the transformative impact it will have on the Yanga Elementary School and its community.